Motor vehicle operator identification and maximum speed limiter

• US 8,256,560 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2011
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Kar Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Surabian, Andrew, Fiske, Richard, Weigold, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US13/103,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20120065862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/272, 180/282, 701/70
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/146 Speed limiting

Abstract

A programmable device that interfaces with a motor vehicle. The device is programmed to identify the operator who is gaining access to the motor vehicle. The device is further programmed to associate a maximum allowable speed with each person allowed to operate the motor vehicle. The device incorporates an access and operation means together with a computer that is compatible with the motor vehicle on board computer. The computer includes in it'"'"'s output a signal that controls the maximum allowable speed that the on board computer will permit the motor vehicle to operate at for the identified operator.

Claims

1. A speed control system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:

an on-board computer configured to control the vehicle; and

an ignition key that is useable to gain access to the automotive vehicle and adapted to communicate information to the on-board computer;

wherein the on-board computer is configured to receive the information from the ignition key and, based on the information from the vehicle ignition key, control the automotive vehicle to be limited to a first speed, and wherein the on-board computer is reprogrammable, allowing the automotive vehicle to operate at a second speed that is greater than the first speed based on the information from the vehicle ignition key.

2. The speed control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle ignition key includes a computer chip that is programmed to include identification information.

3. The speed control system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle ignition key comprises a chip.

4. The speed control system according to claim 3, wherein the chip is programmable.

5. A method for controlling a speed of an automotive vehicle, the automotive vehicle including an on-board computer, the method comprising:

receiving information from a vehicle ignition key by the on-board computer, the vehicle ignition key useable to gain access to the automotive vehicle;

programming the on-board computer, allowing the on-board computer, based on the information from the vehicle ignition key, to limit the automotive vehicle to a first speed;

re-programming the on-board computer, allowing the on-board computer, based on the information from the vehicle ignition key, to allow operation of the automotive vehicle at a speed greater than the first speed.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising programming the vehicle ignition key with identification information.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

receiving information from a second vehicle ignition key by the on-board computer, the second vehicle ignition key useable to gain access to the automotive vehicle;

programming the on-board computer, allowing the on-board computer, based on the information from the second vehicle ignition key, to limit the automotive vehicle to a second speed that is different from the first speed;

re-programming the on-board computer, allowing the on-board computer, based on the information from the second vehicle ignition key, to allow operation of the automotive vehicle at a speed greater than the second speed.